Psalms

Psalms 85: God restores His people to peace

Begin in prayer

Before we hear the plea for renewed life, let us remember the Lord who forgives sin and restores joy in Himself. Pray for peace with God through Jesus and hearts ready to leave the folly that resists His restoring mercy.

Yahweh of Armies says: “Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; and I will bring them, and they will dwell within Jerusalem; and they will be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.”

Zechariah 8:7-8

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God forgives sin and speaks peace, calling His people to fear Him and leave their folly. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The sons of Korah remember God's favour to His land, the forgiveness of His people's sin and the withdrawal of His anger. Those past mercies become their ground for asking Him to turn and revive them again. They seek a renewed joy in God Himself, pleading for His loving kindness and salvation. Then the singer listens for the peace the Lord will speak to His people, with a warning against returning to folly. His salvation draws near to those who fear Him, while mercy, truth, righteousness and peace meet together. God's goodness brings increase to the land, and righteousness prepares the way for His steps.

As you read Psalms 85, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God restores His people by forgiving sin and speaking peace, calling them to fear Him and leave their folly.

Remembered pardon gives the prayer its confidence, since the Lord has already shown favour, covered sin and turned away His fierce anger. The people still ask to be turned themselves, acknowledging that restoration must address their hearts along with their distress. Their questions about continuing anger appeal to His mercy, and their plea for revival seeks renewed gladness in God as its purpose. Listening follows asking, because the peace they need must come from the Lord's own word. The warning against returning to folly keeps that peace joined to holy fear and a changed way of life. Mercy and truth meeting, and righteousness and peace kissing, picture the harmony of God's saving rule. Truth rising from earth and righteousness looking from heaven show the whole land sharing the goodness that comes from Him. The promised harvest belongs with righteousness going before His steps, so restored prosperity is held within His holy presence among His people.

How does Psalm 85 show us that God restores His people by forgiving sin and speaking peace, calling them to fear Him and leave their folly?

God's past forgiveness gives needy people ground to seek revival.

The people remember pardon and anger withdrawn before they ask for help again. Their plea is for God to turn and revive them. They want the renewed life that finds its joy in Him.

God speaks peace that calls His people away from folly.

The singer listens because the needed answer must come from God. Peace is spoken to His people with a warning against returning to sin. His salvation is near those who fear Him, giving the promise a holy and hopeful setting.

God's goodness joins mercy and peace with truth and righteousness.

The meeting and kiss picture these gifts belonging together beneath God's saving rule. His provision makes the land yield its increase. Righteousness goes before His steps, so His people's restored joy follows the presence of their holy Lord.

Memorise

Won’t you revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

Psalm 85:6

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what old folly am I asking Jesus to help me leave?

The singers pray, “Won’t you revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” They remembered pardon and wanted God's peace spoken over their present need. The meeting of righteousness and peace shows the holy character of the restoration they sought.

Our sins also deserve God's fierce anger. Jesus bore the punishment due to His people, giving His life to secure their peace with the righteous God. He rose from the grave. Justice is fully answered and forgiveness secured for His people, because the work by which He reconciled them to God is complete.

Turn from your old folly and rest your faith in Jesus. Jesus promises forgiveness and peace with God to sinners who turn from their folly and trust Him. Ask Him for a heart that rejoices in God and hears His word of peace. Christ's completed work has reconciled His people to the Father, giving believers reason to seek renewed life while refusing peace with sin.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God forgives sin and speaks peace, calling His people to fear Him and leave their folly. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His pardon and peace, and ask Him to revive His people to rejoice in Him. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

John 20:19

God of our salvation, please turn us from our folly and lead us to trust Jesus for pardon. Thank You for His finished work, which has secured peace for His people. Revive Your church to rejoice in You, hear Your Word and walk in holy fear. Give our children new hearts, and make our home grateful for Your mercy and truth. Amen.